up of this innovative technology, which was also previously suggested (Daghio et al.
2017). Pilot-scale experiments will allow the investigation of critical factors, such as
the extension of the radius of influence, a more comprehensive estimation of
installation and operational costs, and the estimation of the lifetime of the components. The data from the field plants are also essential for the evaluation of the
advantages and disadvantages compared to the common bioremediation approaches.
From lab-scale experiments, benefits could be obtained by a better description of
the microbial communities enriched in order to shed light on the complex interactions that may occur between different populations and to better identify the key
players. Understanding the role of different microorganisms can be useful to identify
the parameters that can be modified in order to improve the technology and gain
higher efficiencies.
New possibilities to assist the bioremediation using BESs can also be explored.
An example can be the use of bioelectrochemical technologies for the removal of
metabolites that could be inhibitory for the microbial activity if accumulated (Daghio
et al. 2017). For example, toxic sulfide, which accumulates during hydrocarbons’
degradation via sulfate reduction, can be removed by anodic oxidation to elemental
sulfur and oxidized back to sulfate (Daghio et al. 2018b; Dutta et al. 2008; Zhang
et al. 2014). It has also been observed that, using sediment MFCs, microorganisms
can grow by using plant root exudates with production of electricity and reduction of
greenhouse emissions (i.e., CH 4 ) from wetlands (Arends et al. 2014; Kaku et al.
2008; De Schamphelaire et al. 2008). The interaction between the plants and the
bacteria during the hydrocarbon biodegradation is a well-known process (Gkorezis
et al. 2016). It is therefore possible to test combined phytoremediation-BES treatments (Daghio et al. 2017) as already reported for the bioremediation of pyrene and
benzo[a]pyrene using a macrophyte (Acorus calamus) in combination with an MFC
(Yan et al. 2015).
References
Adelaja O, Keshavarz T, Kyazze G (2014) Enhanced biodegradation of phenanthrene using
different inoculum types in a microbial fuel cell. Eng Life Sci 14(2):218–228. https://doi.org/
10.1002/elsc.201300089
Adelaja O, Keshavarz T, Kyazze G (2015) The effect of salinity, redox mediators and temperature
on anaerobic biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in microbial fuel cells. J Hazard Mater
283:211–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.08.066
Aelterman P, Freguia S, Keller J, Verstraete W, Rabaey K (2008) The anode potential regulates
bacterial activity in microbial fuel cells. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 78(3):409–418. https://doi.
org/10.1007/s00253-007-1327-8
Alvarez PJ, Illman WA (2005) Bioremediation and natural attenuation: process fundamentals and
mathematical models. Wiley, Hoboken
Andersen SJ, Pikaar I, Freguia S, Lovell BC, Rabaey K, Rozendal RA (2013) Dynamically adaptive
control system for bioanodes in serially stacked bioelectrochemical systems. Environ Sci
Technol 47(10):5488–5494. https://doi.org/10.1021/es400239k
17 Bioelectrochemical Processes for the Treatment of Oil-Contaminated. . .
387
2017). Pilot-scale experiments will allow the investigation of critical factors, such as
the extension of the radius of influence, a more comprehensive estimation of
installation and operational costs, and the estimation of the lifetime of the components. The data from the field plants are also essential for the evaluation of the
advantages and disadvantages compared to the common bioremediation approaches.
From lab-scale experiments, benefits could be obtained by a better description of
the microbial communities enriched in order to shed light on the complex interactions that may occur between different populations and to better identify the key
players. Understanding the role of different microorganisms can be useful to identify
the parameters that can be modified in order to improve the technology and gain
higher efficiencies.
New possibilities to assist the bioremediation using BESs can also be explored.
An example can be the use of bioelectrochemical technologies for the removal of
metabolites that could be inhibitory for the microbial activity if accumulated (Daghio
et al. 2017). For example, toxic sulfide, which accumulates during hydrocarbons’
degradation via sulfate reduction, can be removed by anodic oxidation to elemental
sulfur and oxidized back to sulfate (Daghio et al. 2018b; Dutta et al. 2008; Zhang
et al. 2014). It has also been observed that, using sediment MFCs, microorganisms
can grow by using plant root exudates with production of electricity and reduction of
greenhouse emissions (i.e., CH 4 ) from wetlands (Arends et al. 2014; Kaku et al.
2008; De Schamphelaire et al. 2008). The interaction between the plants and the
bacteria during the hydrocarbon biodegradation is a well-known process (Gkorezis
et al. 2016). It is therefore possible to test combined phytoremediation-BES treatments (Daghio et al. 2017) as already reported for the bioremediation of pyrene and
benzo[a]pyrene using a macrophyte (Acorus calamus) in combination with an MFC
(Yan et al. 2015).
References
Adelaja O, Keshavarz T, Kyazze G (2014) Enhanced biodegradation of phenanthrene using
different inoculum types in a microbial fuel cell. Eng Life Sci 14(2):218–228. https://doi.org/
10.1002/elsc.201300089
Adelaja O, Keshavarz T, Kyazze G (2015) The effect of salinity, redox mediators and temperature
on anaerobic biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in microbial fuel cells. J Hazard Mater
283:211–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.08.066
Aelterman P, Freguia S, Keller J, Verstraete W, Rabaey K (2008) The anode potential regulates
bacterial activity in microbial fuel cells. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 78(3):409–418. https://doi.
org/10.1007/s00253-007-1327-8
Alvarez PJ, Illman WA (2005) Bioremediation and natural attenuation: process fundamentals and
mathematical models. Wiley, Hoboken
Andersen SJ, Pikaar I, Freguia S, Lovell BC, Rabaey K, Rozendal RA (2013) Dynamically adaptive
control system for bioanodes in serially stacked bioelectrochemical systems. Environ Sci
Technol 47(10):5488–5494. https://doi.org/10.1021/es400239k
17 Bioelectrochemical Processes for the Treatment of Oil-Contaminated. . .
387